American Literature (Period 3)
Course Description
VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) Mr. Berg's American Lit./Contemp. Composition class 2010
Course Description
This course is a combination of Contemporary Composition principles and applications along with a survey of American Literature over the past 200 years. Through poetry, short stories, novels, drama, and expository text, students will be exposed to various periods of American Literature and the ideas and forces that shaped the writing of the times. This course focuses on historical and literary themes as well as creative and technical writing through the 4 domains of literacy: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Course Objectives
The students will:
• make and support analytical judgments about texts and the structure of language.
• write expressively, effectively, and persuasively.
• listen and speak purposefully and accurately.
• evaluate classical and contemporary literature as well as non-fiction and informational text.
• learn and apply research techniques.
• deliver oral responses to literature.
• deliver multi-media presentations.
Course Syllabus
Units of Instructional Focus:
American Foundations: Recite, Analyze, and Critique Speeches, Poems, Essays, or Documents
Write a research paper about an assigned American author.
Turn of the 20th Century: Industrialization/Urban Migration
Write a research paper about a female American author.
Illusion or Reality?: Jazz Age/Harlem Renaissance - Great Depression
Write an analytical essay about the play, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, by Tennesse Williams.
Conflict at Home and Abroad: WWII / Post War, McCarthyism, Puritans
Write an analytical essay about the play, THE CRUCIBLE, by Arthur Miller.
Civil Rights: Readings: “Ambush”, The Things they Carried, “Letter from Birmingham Jail, “Legal Alien”, “Mother Tongue”
Assignments/Grading
Academic performance is based on: Class Work, Homework, Essays, Projects, Oral Presentations, Quizzes and Semester Exams.
I also evaluate and take into account class participation in discussions, readings, and group work assignments, which requires the students’ regular attendance to class.
Every single point counts.
Assignments, Projects, and Homework will be available @ arletahigh.net
under Classes/Homework
then under Visual and Performing Arts
then choose ENG 11A American Literature
Then pick - C. Berg
Grading scale:
A=90—100%
B=80—89%
C=70—79%
D=55—69%
F=0—54%
Homework:
Homework will consist of reading, writing, research, or project based assignments.
All homework must be turned in on the assigned due date.
All homework is due at the beginning of the class period.
Make-up Work Policy:
You are allowed as many days as you are absent to make up work.
Example: You are absent two days; you have two days to make it up. (This does not include Projects or Essays.)
It is the student’s responsibility to get make-up work before or after school.
Required textbooks: Anthology: The Language of Literature
Student Materials:
Spiral Notebook (70 pages-college ruled), paper, plenty of blue/black ink pens, glue stick, white out and small rounded scissors
School Policies:
All school policies regarding student attendance and behavior apply to this class. Students are expected to behave in a manner conducive to learning. Students are required to adhere to the school dress code. Students found cheating on tests or assignments will be subject to the school’s cheating policy. Students are expected to be in class daily and on time. Students are expected to bring necessary learning materials (notebooks, pens, paper, etc.) and any assigned textbooks to class each day. Textbooks must be covered and maintained in the condition in which they were issued.
Class Rules
1. Respect everyone and everything.
2. Learn all there is to learn!
3. Follow ALL Arleta High School Rules
Class Procedures
1. THE USE OF DEODORANT, HAIRSPRAY, LOTION, MAKE-UP, OR PERFUME DURING CLASS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
2. Be in your seat, quiet and working before the bell rings.
3. Your NAME, DATE, and PERIOD must be written correctly in the top right hand corner of every assignment or the assignment will not be graded.
4. Use a pencil, a blue pen or a black pen. (Sharpen your pencil BEFORE the bell rings.)
5. RAISE YOUR HAND, if you have something to say, or if you need to leave your seat.
6. Bring ALL required materials to class, including:
paper, pencils, pens, and a reading book.
Leave non-school materials (i.e., CD players, video games, etc.) at home.
7. You are responsible for all make-up work.
8. Turn in your homework as you enter the classroom.
9. Turn in your classwork as you exit the classroom.
10. The teacher dismisses class -- NOT the bell!
For Parents:
How to help your child succeed:
Help your child set a consistent block of time aside each day to work on homework and other class assignments. Provide a quiet study area in which your child can study uninterrupted. Encourage him or her to form study partners or study groups with other students in his or her classes.
Please feel free to contact Mr. Berg or the school should you have any questions or concerns about your child’s educational progress or learning needs at (818) 686-4144 or [email protected].
Course Description
This course is a combination of Contemporary Composition principles and applications along with a survey of American Literature over the past 200 years. Through poetry, short stories, novels, drama, and expository text, students will be exposed to various periods of American Literature and the ideas and forces that shaped the writing of the times. This course focuses on historical and literary themes as well as creative and technical writing through the 4 domains of literacy: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Course Objectives
The students will:
• make and support analytical judgments about texts and the structure of language.
• write expressively, effectively, and persuasively.
• listen and speak purposefully and accurately.
• evaluate classical and contemporary literature as well as non-fiction and informational text.
• learn and apply research techniques.
• deliver oral responses to literature.
• deliver multi-media presentations.
Course Syllabus
Units of Instructional Focus:
American Foundations: Recite, Analyze, and Critique Speeches, Poems, Essays, or Documents
Write a research paper about an assigned American author.
Turn of the 20th Century: Industrialization/Urban Migration
Write a research paper about a female American author.
Illusion or Reality?: Jazz Age/Harlem Renaissance - Great Depression
Write an analytical essay about the play, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, by Tennesse Williams.
Conflict at Home and Abroad: WWII / Post War, McCarthyism, Puritans
Write an analytical essay about the play, THE CRUCIBLE, by Arthur Miller.
Civil Rights: Readings: “Ambush”, The Things they Carried, “Letter from Birmingham Jail, “Legal Alien”, “Mother Tongue”
Assignments/Grading
Academic performance is based on: Class Work, Homework, Essays, Projects, Oral Presentations, Quizzes and Semester Exams.
I also evaluate and take into account class participation in discussions, readings, and group work assignments, which requires the students’ regular attendance to class.
Every single point counts.
Assignments, Projects, and Homework will be available @ arletahigh.net
under Classes/Homework
then under Visual and Performing Arts
then choose ENG 11A American Literature
Then pick - C. Berg
Grading scale:
A=90—100%
B=80—89%
C=70—79%
D=55—69%
F=0—54%
Homework:
Homework will consist of reading, writing, research, or project based assignments.
All homework must be turned in on the assigned due date.
All homework is due at the beginning of the class period.
Make-up Work Policy:
You are allowed as many days as you are absent to make up work.
Example: You are absent two days; you have two days to make it up. (This does not include Projects or Essays.)
It is the student’s responsibility to get make-up work before or after school.
Required textbooks: Anthology: The Language of Literature
Student Materials:
Spiral Notebook (70 pages-college ruled), paper, plenty of blue/black ink pens, glue stick, white out and small rounded scissors
School Policies:
All school policies regarding student attendance and behavior apply to this class. Students are expected to behave in a manner conducive to learning. Students are required to adhere to the school dress code. Students found cheating on tests or assignments will be subject to the school’s cheating policy. Students are expected to be in class daily and on time. Students are expected to bring necessary learning materials (notebooks, pens, paper, etc.) and any assigned textbooks to class each day. Textbooks must be covered and maintained in the condition in which they were issued.
Class Rules
1. Respect everyone and everything.
2. Learn all there is to learn!
3. Follow ALL Arleta High School Rules
Class Procedures
1. THE USE OF DEODORANT, HAIRSPRAY, LOTION, MAKE-UP, OR PERFUME DURING CLASS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
2. Be in your seat, quiet and working before the bell rings.
3. Your NAME, DATE, and PERIOD must be written correctly in the top right hand corner of every assignment or the assignment will not be graded.
4. Use a pencil, a blue pen or a black pen. (Sharpen your pencil BEFORE the bell rings.)
5. RAISE YOUR HAND, if you have something to say, or if you need to leave your seat.
6. Bring ALL required materials to class, including:
paper, pencils, pens, and a reading book.
Leave non-school materials (i.e., CD players, video games, etc.) at home.
7. You are responsible for all make-up work.
8. Turn in your homework as you enter the classroom.
9. Turn in your classwork as you exit the classroom.
10. The teacher dismisses class -- NOT the bell!
For Parents:
How to help your child succeed:
Help your child set a consistent block of time aside each day to work on homework and other class assignments. Provide a quiet study area in which your child can study uninterrupted. Encourage him or her to form study partners or study groups with other students in his or her classes.
Please feel free to contact Mr. Berg or the school should you have any questions or concerns about your child’s educational progress or learning needs at (818) 686-4144 or [email protected].